Logo image
A researcher writes for his people: who writes what language for whom and when?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A researcher writes for his people: who writes what language for whom and when?

Rakhmiel Peltz
International journal of the sociology of language, v 2017(243), pp 39-65
01 Jan 2017

Abstract

Hasidim Modern Orthodox revitalization secular Yiddish
What does a scholar of endangered languages and the sociology of language write to his own people in their language? A review of Joshua (Shikl) Fishman’s column in the Yiddish quarterly from 1982–2002 reveals the repeated theme of urging his secular Yiddish readers to establish residential enclaves of young families who speak Yiddish with their children. He shared his knowledge of the language revitalization and standardization efforts of other groups, including ultra-Orthodox Hasidim, Frieslanders, Irish, Norwegians, and Welsh. These heartfelt pleas reflected his own bereavement following the decimation of the East European Yiddish heartland during the Holocaust and the disappearance of a vibrant Yiddish secular life in America. Nevertheless, Fishman applauded and supported the efforts of young people aimed at revitalizing Yiddish.

Metrics

17 Record Views
1 citations in Scopus

Details

Logo image